Nanotechnology General News

The latest news from academia, regulators
research labs and other things of interest

Posted: April 22, 2009

Argonne's green technologies research makes every day Earth Day

(Nanowerk News) Argonne National Laboratory is involved in a wide array of research and development projects aimed at advancing alternative energy sources and other “green” technologies in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and ameliorate climate change, as well as to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote energy independence for the United States. Among those projects are:

Advanced Transportation Research

Argonne has conducted cutting-edge transportation research for more than 30 years and employs a multidisciplinary staff of engineers and scientists involved in engine, battery, fuel cell, vehicle systems and applied materials research. From work on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles capable of driving 100 miles per gallon of gasoline to hydrogen-powered automobiles boasting near-zero emissions, Argonne researchers are at the forefront of our nation's efforts to develop and advance more energy-efficient and environmentally benign vehicle and fuel technologies. Argonne recently partnered with the State of Kentucky to help build the U.S. battery industry and worked with Korean scientists to develop a new high-energy cathode material that can greatly increase the safety and extend the life-span of future lithium batteries for automobiles.

Solar Energy

In an effort to help the world meet energy needs through solar power, Argonne along with Northwestern University created the Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research Center. Scientists will examine new economical ways to use sunlight to produce clean fuels, such as hydrogen, from water and to produce electricity directly from low-cost photovoltaic and thermoelectric systems.

Alternative Fuels

Scientists at Argonne are working to genetically manipulate algae to create the next generation of renewable fuels– hydrogen. Algae can be grown anywhere and may be able to produce hydrogen in the same amounts as oxygen.

Argonne's IBM Blue Gene/P supercomputer is not only one of the world's fastest computers for open science research, it is also one of the most energy-efficient.

Pollution Control Programs

Argonne scientists are busy seeking ways to keep our air and water clean. A few examples:

Studied and modeled air pollution in Beijing in an effort to improve air quality for spectators and athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Used the Advanced Photon Source to create a new X-ray technique to view fuel expelled from fuel injectors. The research could lead to better and cleaner fuel injectors for automobiles.

Created a cleaner way to produce ethylene, a common organic compound, without the harmful greenhouse gasses which result from current production methods.

Developed a technology that removes radioactive material from nuclear power plant waste.

In conjunction with Purdue University Calumet, identifying technologies to reduce pollution discharges into Lake Michigan by refineries and other large facilities.

Climate Modeling

Argonne computational scientists have developed high-performance regional climate modeling simulations capability that allows climate researchers to study both past and future climate. Researchers at the laboratory are particularly interested in the study of the impact of extreme events on natural and human systems. The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, one of the fastest public supercomputing facilities in the world, will improve our ability to understand and respond to climate change and global environmental issues through better observation, data, analysis, models and research.

Recycling

Argonne researchers have developed a technology to increase the recovery of plastics and other materials from obsolete cars and trucks. The materials can be re-used for new automotive parts and other applications instead of winding up in landfills.